Meat-tenderer.



No. 788,793.- PATENTED MAY 2, 1905. J. RAINS. MEAT TENDERER.UPPLIOATIOKST FILED JUNE 2, 1904.

Patented May 2 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB RAINS, OF RACINE, WISCONSIN.

MEAT-TENDERER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 788,793, dated May 2,1905.

Application filed June 2, 1904.. Serial No. 210.871.

1'0 (M6 w/wm it may concern;

Be it known that I, JAooB RAINs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Racine, in the county of Racine and State of Wisconsin, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Meat-'lenderers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the type of devices for severing the fibers,tissues, tendons, veins, and the like of meat to facilitate masticationand which embody in their structure an operating-head, cutters projectedtherefrom, and spring-clearers for detaching the meat from the cuttersas the latter are withdrawn from the meat.

The present invention has for its object to enable the device to beeasily and conveniently cleaned; and to this end the head is of peculiarconstruction, being provided with clearancespaces to admit of the readyremoval of any accumulation when through using the device,

and the spring-clearers are arranged in such a manner as to be turnedout of the way and occupy a small space when unobstructed access isdesired to be had to the cutters for cleaning or other purpose.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and alsoto acquire a knowledge of the details of. construction of the means foreffecting the result reference is to be had to the following descriptionand drawings hereto attached.

While the essential and characteristic features of the invention aresusceptible of modilication, still the preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1is a perspective view of a meattenderer embodying the invention. Fig. 2is an end view thereof, showing the spring-clearers turned up out of theway. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the head portion of thedevice stripped of the cutters and clearers. Fig. 1 is a detailperspective view of a modification having a cutter and the correspondingclearer removed. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form ofcutter, a portion being broken away.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

The body of the implement comprises head.

1 and handle 2, the latter projecting from one side of the head. Theparts 1 and 2 are preferably of integral formation and cast metal. Aspace 3 is formed transversely of the head in the face opposite to thecutters and enables the ready removal of any accumulated matter that maycollect during the operation of the device. A longitudinal space 4intersects the transverse space 3 and is for a like purpose.

The intersecting clearance-spaces 3 and 1 result in the provision of aseries of lugs 5, which are located at the corners of the head and havethe cutters attached thereto. The head 1 and handle 2 are of such weightas to enable the implement to be effectively used in the operation ofmincing or rendering meat tender by severing the tissues and fibersthereof.

The cutters 6 are of U form, the side members being provided with aplurality of teeth, which penetrate the meat and render the same tenderduring the operation of the implement inthe accustomed manner. Thecutters 6 are disposed in parallel relation, preferably lengthwise ofthe head, and are attached near their ends to corresponding lugs bysuitable fastenings 7. As shown most clearlyin Fig. 1, the major portionof each cutter is exposed, and hence is readily accessible for thepurpose of cleaning. As shown, the implement coniprises two cutters; butit is to be understood that the number may be varied according to thecapacity of the implement. A springclearer 8 is provided for each cutterand is adapted to operate in the space formed between the side teeththereof. Each clearer 8 is pivotally connected at one end to a side ofthe head 1, as shown at 9, so as to be turned to occupy a position inthe rear of the head and alongside of the handle 2, as indicated mostclearly in Fig. 2. The clearers 8 are of how form and are free at oneend and normally project beyond the teeth of the cutters, as indicatedmost clearly in Fig. 1.

When using the device, the clearers are pressed into the space formedbetween corresponding teeth of a cutter by coming in 0011- tact with themeat, and upon withdrawing the teeth from the meat the clearers springoutl and the shank of the stud enters the slot 11,

ward and expel or force the meat from between the teeth of the cuttersand prevent it from following or sticking to the same. When the clearersare turned so as to occupy a position in the rear of the head andalongside of the handle, the cutters are unobstructed and may be easilycleaned, the clearers being entirely out of the way and not interferingwith the cleaning of the cutters. When the cutters are turned into theposition substantially as shown in Fig. 2, the implement may be used forchopping vegetables or other food not requiring the use of the clearers.

In the modification shown in Figs. 4: and 5 the lugs 5 are provided withheaded studs 7* and 7 and each cutter has its base portion provided nearone end with an oblong opening 10 and near the opposite end with a slot11, which extends through an edge of the base and communicates with anenlarged opening 12, formed in a side portion of the cutter. The oblongopening 10 extends lengthwise of the cutter and is adapted to receivethe headed stud 7, whereas the slot 11 is adapted to receive the headedstud 7 the head of said stud passing through the opening 12 whenentering or leaving the slot 11. When placing the cutter in position, itis-arranged about at a right angle to the plane of the handle 2 to bringthe opening .10 in register with the head of the stud 7, and after thehead of said stud has been passed through the opening 10 the cutter isturned to cause the head of the stud to sit crosswise of the opening 10,so as to retain the cutter in place. As the cutter swings to positionupon the head 1 the head of the stud 7 passes through the opening 12portions of the head of said stud 7 overlapping corresponding parts ofthe base, so as to retain the cutter in place. The clearer 8 is causedto assume the position shown in Fig. 4, so as to form a lock for thecutter and prevent movement thereof to cause the stud 7 to leave theslot 11.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Theherein-described meat-tenderer comprising a head having anoperating-handle and provided in its face with intersecting spaces toform spaced corner-lugs, cutters of approximately U form attached tosaid lugs, and spring-clearers of bow form arranged to operate in thespace formed between the teeth of the respective cutters and pivotallyconnected at one end to .a side of the head so as to be turned to occupya position in the rear of the head and alongside the handle thereof,substantially as set forth.

2. In an implement of the class described, the combination of a head,studs projecting therefrom, a cutter provided near one end with anoblong opening and near its opposite end with a slot for cooperationwith the respective studs, the interlocking being effected by pivotalmovement of the cutter, and a clearer normally interlocking with thecutter to retain the same in proper position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JACOB RAINS. [L. s.]

WVitnesses:

PETER NELSON, CHARLES HELDING.

